How to Earn Your Degree and Get Hired After Incarceration

Any way you slice it, the figures surrounding incarceration in America are beyond stark. We lock up more of our people than any nation in the world, both per capita and in sheer numbers, beating out countries like Russia, Iran and China. In fact, over 25% of the world's prison population resides in the United States. Nearly 700 of every 100,000 American residents are behind bars, which equals around 2.3 million human beings. If that population were a city, it would be our fifth-largest. The price tag for these mass incarcerations? Around $100,000 per prisoner each year, compared to the average of $10,000 we spend per college student.

Why do we lock up so many? The reasons experts give are as complex as they are varied. Many posit that the war on drugs has led to an explosion of prison populations. Others argue that the corrections system emphasizes punishment over rehabilitation, leading to a recidivism rate of nearly 77%. And, the school-to-prison pipeline both prepares and funnels kids into the justice system, often at incredibly disproportionate rates for people of color.

There's good news: at its best, America is still a land of hope and second chances. According to statistics and plenty of inspirational stories, there are two ways to overcome the grim figures above: education and employment. That's why we've put together this guide: to offer resources and tips for earning your high school diploma, getting a college degree, and securing a job after prison. In it, we'll cover the first steps you should take, how to apply for jobs and schools, how to get help paying for school, jobs you can get without a degree and organizations that can help every step of the way.

Things to Do Before Applying to School and Jobs

There are a number of things you'll want to do before you start applying to jobs or schools. Below we'll cover some of the most important.

Re-Entry Assistance Programs for Former Inmates

The first hours, days and weeks after release can be the most difficult for returning citizens. There are many organizations that can help you get established; we'll detail some of them below.

Education, Degrees, & Financial Aid After Incarceration

Getting Your GED After Incarceration

If you find yourself without a high school diploma, you're not alone. In fact, around 40% of inmates don't. Some prisons offer or even require incarcerated people to pursue a GED or high school equivalency but studying for and taking the GED after release is also a great idea. There are even ways to earn your GED online. It can open the door to more educational opportunities, give you better job options and even increase your salary. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, individuals without a high school education make an average salary of $20,241 per year, while those with a high school education or its equivalent bring home $30,627 annually.

The GED includes four tests: Social Studies, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning and Science. Each test takes about an hour; you can take them one at a time or you can knock them all out in one sitting. Don't worry: if you fail, you can retake the test two more times. After the third time, you'll typically need to wait 60 days before you can take it again. For more information on the GED, including frequently asked questions, test registration dates and more, check out our GED Resources Page. Want help preparing for your test? Our GED Hub Page has practice tests, study guides and a scholarship opportunity.

College After Incarceration

Pursuing a college education is one of the best decisions you can make after your release. Here's why.

• You'll make a higher salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, people with a high school diploma make $746 per week, those with an associate's degree make $833 a week and bachelor's degree-holders bring home $1,248 every week. Unemployment rates also plummet with each degree level.
• Your chances for rearrest go down. Five years after release, nearly 77% of formerly incarcerated people find themselves back in the system. With vocational training, that number drops to 30%. With an associate's degree, it drops to 13.7% and, with a bachelor's, it's down to 5.6%. A master's degree flatlines those chances to zero.
• Your job opportunities increase. Not only will college increase your chances of landing a job, but it'll also help you land more fulfilling jobs; jobs that you are passionate about.

Online College Degrees for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals

One of the great things about the explosion of the internet is the fact that you can get an entire college education online. This is particularly important for returning citizens because it eliminates many of the obstacles to higher education. Many former incarcerated individuals are asked to juggle work, kids and other responsibilities tied to their release. An online program means you can knock out coursework during a break, early in the morning, late at night or whenever it's most convenient for you.

It also eliminates the need to commute back and forth, which can save you countless hours and no small amount of money. And, if you're dealing with travel restrictions, it means you won't be limited to the programs within your city, your county or even your state.

For more help finding an online degree that will work for you, check out our Guide to Online Degrees and Programs.

Applying for College With a Criminal Conviction

Below we'll cover the documents you'll need to gather, the process of applying and what's different about applying to college with a criminal record.

The Documents You'll Need to Apply

To apply to college, you'll need to have your social security card, birth certificate and a form of ID (driver's license, state-issued ID). You'll also need to gather your educational records including your GED or high school diploma, transcripts and proof of any college credits you may have taken in the past. Some schools may also ask for a personal essay and/or letters of reference from people who can speak to your character.

How to Apply

The application process can be long, daunting and disappointing. There may be several deadlines to meet, applications to fill out, and fees to pay. And you might even be asked to come to the school for an interview. One of the best ways to navigate this process is to contact the school you'd like to attend and speak with an admissions counselor. Be upfront with them and ask them to help guide you through each step. We've also compiled an in-depth guide to the college application process.

One of the easiest and most streamlined ways to apply is by using the Common Application, also referred to as 'ComApp.' Applicants can fill out one ComApp and use it to apply to several schools at once. There are close to 900 schools that accept ComApp, so you're likely to find a few that work for you. The ComApp does ask about misdemeanor and felony convictions.

How to Handle a College Application with a Criminal Record

It might be tempting to not mention your conviction on your college application in the hopes they won't notice. They will. Most colleges in the United States do a background check and the sad truth is that may result in a denial of your application. There are a couple of things you can do to up your chances of acceptance.

• Don't try to hide it, but don't dwell on it either. On your application and personal essay (if necessary), it's important to directly address the conviction without making excuses. Having a conviction might not preclude you from getting accepted, but lying about it might. Show that you've paid your debt and explain how you've learned from the experience. College admissions committees want candidates who have taken a negative experience and matured from it.
• Apply to schools that don't use background checks. According to the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, 70% of 4-year schools and 40% of community colleges require you to report criminal history. That leaves a fair amount of schools that aren't interested in judging your fitness for college on your past. To find out if your target school will ask for it, look for their criminal history disclosures policy.

Best Degrees for Formerly Incarcerated Students

Depending on the conviction, some careers may have more obstacles than others. For instance, some people who are re-entering the workforce after a period of incarceration may not be able to take a job working with children, handling firearms or teaching. However, there are plenty of degrees and jobs that you can do with a record and even some in which your experiences are an asset -- a social work agency or rehabilitation center may be eager for someone who understands the system intimately.

Here are some degrees that are ideal for formerly incarcerated people.

Financial Aid for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals

It's no secret. College is expensive. And, for many returning citizens who are struggling, the idea of affording a college education may seem out of reach. It's not. There are plenty of ways to get help paying for school, even with a conviction. Currently incarcerated individuals and those with drug offenses may not be eligible for financial aid, but others become eligible upon release. Keep in mind that you can apply before you're released so that your application can be processed and you can start school quickly.

The first thing to do is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. Doing so will tell you what aid you'll be eligible for. The most common need-based aid is the Pell Grant, which currently (2020-2021) provides up to $6,345 per year to students who qualify.

There's also the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, which can provide an additional $100 to $4,000 per year to students with great financial need. As a person recently released from prison, you might also be eligible for Employment and Training Administration Grants.

People who have paid their debt to society may also be able to access federal loans. These allow you to borrow up to $12,500 per year to pay for an undergraduate degree and as much as $20,500 a year to fund a graduate degree. In most cases, these loans must be paid back, but they boast low interest rates. Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans from the federal government boast interest rates of just 2.75% for undergraduate students and 4.3% for graduate students. Loans procured outside the government may have much higher interest rates.

Scholarships and Grants for Formerly Incarcerated People

There are plenty of scholarships and grants out there that are specifically designed for formerly incarcerated people and others that don't bar returning citizens from applying. Below we'll detail a few of them, including their amounts, requirements and deadlines.

Getting a Job After Prison

Getting a job after prison can be daunting. It may feel at times like no one wants to hire you because of the stigma surrounding incarceration in this country. Many returning citizens also find that the working world has changed while they were away; different skills are valued now, work ethics are different, the job market has evolved. It's important to not get discouraged even if you get turned down or have to start back a square one. The truth is there are plenty of good companies out there who are looking for good people; these companies take pride in offering a second chance. Resources like Jailtojob.com and Hire Felons keep up-to-date lists of companies that hire returning citizens.

Tips for Getting Hired After Incarceration

As you prepare to reenter society and the workforce, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances and make the transition as smooth as possible.

• Dress for the Job When you meet with employers, you want to make the best first impression you can and that starts with clothes. You'll want to have at least one outfit that looks professional. It doesn't have to be expensive. Thrift shops and clothing closets offer cheap and even free clothes that can help you look the part. And, putting on that power outfit can even help you gain the confidence you need to feel ready.

• Network Let everyone in your life -- friends, family and acquaintances -- know that you're looking for work. Even if they don't know of a job opening, they may be able to put in a good word for you and act as a character reference should you need one. You never know what connection could turn into a good opportunity..

• Understand How to Talk About Your History In all likelihood, your incarceration is going to come up time and again. Having a sincere answer is important. It doesn't have to dive into details, but it should include what you've learned from your experiences, how you've changed and how your plan for the future. You'll want to have this answer memorized so you can talk about it cooly, calmly and with confidence when it comes up.

• Know How to Interview There are few things more intimidating than walking into a job interview. The stigma of incarceration only magnifies that feeling for many returning citizens. It's important to put your best foot forward, though, and that means arriving at the appointment early, smiling, maintaining a friendly demeanor, keeping eye contact, answering questions clearly and using 'please' and 'thank you.' If you need help or practice, many organizations (both online and locally) offer free courses in interviewing.

• Create a Resume You might not need a resume for every job you apply to, but it's always handy (and impressive to employers) to have one. If you don't have much recent employment history, you can use the experiences you had while incarcerated to show off your marketable skillset. For example, if you worked in the prison library, you could list what you may have learned -- organizational skills, customer service, leadership and more. You'll also want to ensure your resume is grammatically correct, well-organized and concise.

• Understand Your Rights Because of your situation, it's critical to understand what potential employers can and can't do during the interviewing and hiring process. For instance, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says that employers can ask about any criminal history but they CANNOT use it to discriminate against you. They also can't do a background check unless you give them permission. However, some formerly incarcerated individuals might be barred from applying to certain fields, depending on their conviction. Sadly, in the real world, many employers may use your past to disqualify you from consideration.

  Your rights may vary by state. Some states have what are called 'Ban the Box' laws, which means that a potential employer can only ask about a criminal background after they've made an offer.

Jobs that Don't Require a College Degree

If you don't want to don the backpack again and you'd rather get started on a career now, there are options that don't require a degree but can still lead to a fulfilling career. Here are just a few ideas. If you have a parole officer, be sure to check with them to see if there are any restrictions on the types of jobs you can pursue.

• Mail carriers. Mail carriers are responsible for sorting mail, collecting outgoing mail and delivering letters and packages to residential and commercial customers. They may also sell postal service products like stamps and shipping materials. Becoming a mail carrier requires a high school diploma or the equivalent, fluency in English, a drug test and a background check. The USPS does not discriminate against justice-involved individuals.

  Training typically lasts about a month and the median annual salary, according to 2019 numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), is $52,060. Postal carriers can move up the ladder to become associate supervisors, managerial leaders and executives.

• Construction Laborers and Helpers. Construction laborers and helpers load and unload materials, prepare and clean up job sites, operate heavy machinery and help craftspeople during the construction process. Working in construction typically doesn't require any formal education. The BLS reports that the median annual salary for these workers is $36,000.

  The field of construction provides plenty of opportunities for advancement and specialization. Construction workers can become supervisors and eventually contractors. Or, they can choose to concentrate and progress into a craftsperson field like carpentry, masonry, painting, roofing or plumbing.

• Food Preparation Workers. Food preparation workers assist chefs by cleaning the kitchen, chopping vegetables, preparing sauces, weighing ingredients and making side dishes. No experience or formal education is usually required, but these professionals typically need good listening skills, dexterity and the stamina to be on their feet all day.

  The BLS's numbers say that food prep workers earn $24,800 per year. This field also offers a fair amount of upward mobility. Although it's competitive, hard workers can move up to become short-order cooks, line cooks, head chefs and eventually restaurant owners.

• Team Assemblers. Team assemblers work to put products together piece by piece. For large, complex products like vehicles, they may be responsible for one small part of the production process, like adding a door handle. For smaller products, team assemblers might be in charge of assembling the entire product. The BLS reports that professionals in team assembly bring home a median salary of $30,060 per year.

  Team assemblers can advance to higher positions in the field including computer-controlled machine tool operators ($40,070 per year) or industrial production managers ($105,480).

Federal, State, and Local Programs for Those with Criminal Backgrounds

While there are federal programs designed to encourage employers to hire returning citizens (the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and the Fair Chance Pledge, for example), there aren't many programs that directly lend assistance to individuals. One does:

Federal Bonding Program

The Federal Bonding Program works a little like insurance for employers. They hire recently released individuals and the federal government covers them for six months if the arrangement doesn't work out. It's a great program that encourages companies to give justice-involved citizens an opportunity at employment without risking much. It's already helped over 52,000 applicants find meaningful work.

State and Local Programs

You're more likely to find assistance from a non-profit in your area (like Defy Ventures in New York), a local school (like Project ReMADE at Stanford Law School in California) or from your state government (like Maryland's Re-Entry Initiative. To find programs like these, you might try talking to a parole officer, going to your state's unemployment office or doing a google search for your state and city.

Companies that Believe in Second Chances

Thankfully, many companies in this country are coming around to the truth that when you take a chance on someone who needs it, they become incredible employees. We want to give those courageous companies a shout out and let you know about some places that are willing to give you a second chance.

• Goodwill. Goodwill is famous for its non-discriminatory policies when it comes to hiring returning citizens, but this national non-profit does a whole lot more than that. They provide services like pre-release work skills training, post-release life skills training, job placement assistance, GED preparation and basic education classes.

• Butterball Farms/Cascade Engineering. For more than 20 years, Butterball has been giving returning citizens a chance to start fresh. In 2012, they paired with Cascade Engineering to create the 30-2-2 program. Its goal is to get 30 companies to hire two people with criminal records for two years. The initiative has worked so well that the idea has spread to other communities around the country.
• Dave's Killer Bread. Dave's Killer Bread understands how difficult it can be to find work. In fact, it was started by Dave Dahl, a man who spent 15 years in prison for armed robbery, assault and drug distribution. Today, a whopping one-third of the company's employees have a criminal background. The company also invests much of its profit into encouraging other companies to follow suit.

Additional Employment Resources for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals

• CareerOneStop. CareerOneStop is a job search site with a special section for people who have been incarcerated. On it, you can find career options that might work best for you, what restrictions you might have, common first jobs for returning citizens, job searches and a map with local agencies that can aid you in your job search.

• Second Chance Jobs. Second Chance Jobs is a non-profit is dedicated to helping system-affected people find work. They do this by providing job training, counseling, education, apprenticeships and job placements. From their site, you can fill out an online form to apply to the program or call to speak with one of their Second Chance Jobs Career Coaches.
• Help for Felons. There aren't a lot of clear, straightforward sources of information for returning citizens who are looking for help. Help for Felons tries to compile these resources into one site, offering lists of companies who give second chances, legitimate online work you can pursue, resume help, information for starting your own business, job searches and a community of people who have been through the same experiences.

Interview With the Experts

Frank Martin

Frank Martin is the former Education Coordinator of the Oregon Youth Association and the current Director of World Possible Justice, a non-profit that uses technology to help educate incarcerated individuals.

Alex Nelson

Alex Nelson is the Statewide Education Coordinator for the Oregon Youth Association

Jason Perrins

Jason Perrins is the Principal of Lord High School at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility

Heidi Lung

Heidi Lung is the Transition Juvenile Parole/Probation Officer at the Oregon Youth Association

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How should formerly incarcerated people discuss their time incarcerated during the college admissions process?

Frank Martin: From my experience with students. It is useful to have their own portfolio of their work for admissions staff to review. A current bio / resume is important to demonstrate engagement and accomplishments. Having support letters and any documents of achievement is important. Students should include any civic projects and volunteer work to help communicate who they are --- being a tutor, food drive - gardening participation, fire fighting assignments, stream restoration - packing sandbags for flood prevention...

Alex Nelson: With honesty and a growth mindset. Acknowledge the time incarcerated, but more importantly, the investment of time while incarcerated to become a better person.

Jason Perrins: Make it a positive response. Describe how you have matured and grown. Describe the learning you took advantage of while incarcerated. Describe how you want to continue to learn.

Heidi Lung: I would recommend this be a case by case scenario. In my years of experience, an individual has not been questioned or needed to discuss their incarceration time during the admissions process.

Should they mention it in their personal essay?

FM: Yes. Especially with a future focus.

AN: Yes, that can be one way to help explain lost time. An opportunity to help explain how setbacks are turned into comebacks.

JP: Yes, if done in good taste and relates to their growth and development.

HL: Another case by case, if a personal essay is required, and the student is willing to open up about it and have a story to tell and examples of how they have overcome adversity and got to where they are this date than absolutely they should mention it in their personal essay. I would encourage that student to utilize adult mentors/staff/PO etc.. working in the system to help proof-read this essay.

What advice do you have for formerly incarcerated individuals who are preparing to re-enter the job market, or look for their first job? How should they discuss their time incarcerated in a job interview?

FM: Research and assess the employer and their values. Prepare by knowing who they are communicating with. Demonstrate and illustrate the positive contributions that they can bring to their employer - especially with past work experience and knowledge gained. Articulate a sense of this being a move forward to improve their position in life. This is a very personal statement for each individual.

AN: Many states have “banned the box” from employment applications. Again, it’s not the time incarcerated that matters compared to how one’s time was spent while incarcerated – education, vocational training, pre apprenticeships, work programs, etc.

JP: Make it positive. Connect what skills you learned while incarcerated and how you want to use them.

HL: I would encourage an individual to prepare to have this conversation with a potential employer by roleplaying a mock type of conversation with an adult. I would also encourage this individual to not offer this information unless an employer specifically asked, or if the individual feels comfortable with sharing their story. This is also something that should be role played so an individual can remember to speak about their personal growth and change.

How should they account for the time on their resume?

FM: Look at activities. Establish a time frame of any working positions and academic activities. Also look at time spent on personal interests - reading, writing, group activity --- establish a sense of personal gain with time.

AN: If there are voids of time for an individual that has been incarcerated, it becomes very important to evidence productive work and/or education efforts while down.

JP: Fill it with skills or education obtained while incarcerated.

HL: If they received their education while incarcerated, it is fair and honest to list the school they graduated from. If they have work experience while incarcerated, it is up to the individual on how comfortable they are having this be on their resume, and knowing it may open up a bigger conversation where they may loose potential employment opportunities by being TOO honest, so they need to be aware and prepared for both the conversation and not being hired. There are also several times individuals still are hired based off their incarceration information and their honesty. Some areas are very supportive to giving second chances.

How can they be the type of applicant that an employer is willing to take a chance on?

FM: My observations are that returning citizens are dedicated to their employers - especially that they have been given the opportunity to be hired for a position. Having the ability to contribute to their new employer but also to the community that they are a positive element within it. The employer is also being a part of the solution to hire a returning citizen. Name any community volunteer programs that are current. Demonstrating current community activities helps. Walking the walk.

AN: Taking a chance on a formerly incarcerated individual can be a productive path. Many of these applicants are striving to successfully release to their communities, become independent and successful contributor back.

JP: Youth should discuss how they have changed. People all make mistakes and it’s what was learned from those mistakes that matter. Describe in detail. People like personal stories that matter.

HL: By taking advantage of educational opportunities and vocational opportunities and practicing skills in everyday living whether its inside or out. Also, identifying appropriate employment opportunities that match their skills or interests and again having been prepared and confident in sharing their story and selling themselves on their achievements and overcoming adversity.

What are some useful tips for people who have recently been released? How can they make that transition back to their regular life easier?

FM: From my experience with students - understand that there will be encounters of positive and negative attitudes. Build on the positives with peers and family - keep up your resilience to bounce back and not to back slide. Easier said than done but it is good to be reminded.

Do not be left behind - take ownership to learn. There will be new technology, processes, relationships and responsibilities that need to be taken on. Learn from them.

The greatest shift - I learned from students is that they are leaving a structured environment and now have freedom to choose how they spend their time and for what purpose.

AN: Plan… Maintain connection (when possible) with supports on the outside. Maximize work opportunities, job training, vocational education and post-graduate college opportunities. Work closely with the PPO’s and Transition PPO’s BEFORE releasing to the community and put the plan into action. Education pays, go after your dreams and work tirelessly

JP: They need to access the support they are given by OYA. They need to get a job. They need to show those around them they can be trusted. Trust is the biggest thing that needs to be tackled. Build it by being on time, do what you say, show service and work harder than anyone else.

HL: Do as much preparation for transition while still incarcerated. Be willing to learn, make mistakes and accept feedback and support. Have important documents such as birth certificates, social security cards, and state issued ID’s ready and on hand or ready to go get once released. Obtain letters of recommendation from those professionals who know these individuals best- staff, teachers, treatment managers, parole officers, etc. Don’t give up easily. Keep trying and keep putting yourself out there.